Abstract

A simple model for the motion of a turbulent buoyant thermal in a calm, stably stratified atmosphere is proposed. Using this model, the average motion of the thermal can be described in terms of its initial density difference, velocity and effective radius, and the three nondimensional gross parameters: mass entrainment constant, effective drag coefficient, and turbulence dissipation rate. Relations between the local turbulence field and the three gross parameters are discussed. Also, the maximum height a thermal can reach in a stable atmosphere for various initial conditions and gross parameters can be approximated by a simple power law relation.